navigation

Pius Mau Piailug, master navigator, died on July 12th, aged 78. The Economist told his story here.

Reading about his life, teachings, and skill reminded me that when I was in Hawai'i in 2006, I got to see and draw a stone navigation table.

May 29: Ancient lava stone table with reflecting pool - a navigation aid, I was told. Easier to trace constellations in water than in the sky. From this angle it's hard to tell, but it was balanced on three stone legs, and the whole table was about one meter across. I do not know the Hawai'ian name for it, but this one was on the beach near 'Ahu'ena Heiau in Kona.